Contribution of neuraminidase 3 to the differentiation of induced regulatory T cells.

Neuraminidase family enzymes that hydrolyze the terminal sialic acid linkage in biomolecules are involved in various immune responses. We previously showed that Th1 and Th2 cells differentially express several neuraminidases. Herein, the expression of neuraminidases in induced regulatory T (iTreg) cells was investigated in comparison with that in other T-cell subsets.

T-Helper Type 2 Cells Direct Antigen-Induced Eosinophilic Skin Inflammation in Mice.

Eosinophilic inflammation in combination with immunoglobulin E (IgE) production is a characteristic feature of atopic dermatitis. Although activated T-helper type (Th) 2 cells play critical roles in the local accumulation and activation of eosinophils, whether they induce eosinophilic skin inflammation, independent of the IgE-mediated pathway has been unclear. To address the functional role of T cells in allergic skin diseases, we herein transferred Th1/Th2-differentiated or naive DO11.

Otitis media with effusion and atopy: is there a causal relationship?

Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) is an inflammatory condition of the middle ear cleft, acute or chronic, with collection of fluid in the middle ear with an intact tympanic membrane. It is a very common disease in childhood, the most frequent cause of hearing loss in childhood and often requiring surgery. OME is called when the fluid in the middle ear persists for more than three months or when the episodes recur six or more times in one year.

Surveillance of the use of adrenaline auto-injectors in Japanese children.

Background: The appropriate usage of an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI, Epipen) is a key aspect of patient and social education in the management of anaphylaxis. However, although AAIs are being prescribed increasingly frequently, there are few reports on their actual use.

Methods: The Anaphylaxis Working Group of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology requested that society members register cases in which AAIs were used.

Cross-reactivity between major IgE core epitopes on Cry j 2 allergen of Japanese cedar pollen and relevant sequences on Cha o 2 allergen of Japanese cypress pollen.

Background: Cry j 2 and Cha o 2 are major allergens in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica; CJ) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa; CO) pollen, respectively. Here, we assessed the epitopes related to the cross-reactivity between Cry j 2 and Cha o 2 using in vitro analyses.

Methods: Peptides were synthesized based on Cry j 2 sequential epitopes and relevant Cha o 2 amino acid sequences.

[TRANSITION OF AIRBORNE FUNGI DURING 20-YEARS FROM 1993 TO 2013 IN SAGAMIHARA].

Background: Airborne fungi have been surveyed every week during the 20 years from 1993 to 2013 in Sagamihara. This is a follow up of 1983 to 1992 survey at the same sampling station, using the same methods.

Objective: We analyzed the transition of airborne fungi of 20-years.

Official Japanese Version of the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale: validation against the original English version.

Background: The Movement Disorder Society (MDS)-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease (PD) Rating Scale (UPDRS) (MDS-UPDRS) has been developed and is now available in English. Part of the overall program includes the establishment of official non-English translations of the MDS-UPDRS. We present the process for completing the official Japanese translation of the MDS-UPDRS with clinimetric testing results.

The skin prick test is not useful in the diagnosis of the immediate type food allergy tolerance acquisition.

Background: Some studies have been reported about positioning of SPT in the diagnosis of food allergy. On the other hand, it is not yet clear about the positioning of SPT in the diagnosis of tolerance acquisition of the immediate type food allergy.

Methods: The retrospective study had been conducted for 236 egg allergic children (51.

[Physicians' knowledge with regard to the timing of adrenaline administration for anaphylaxis in Japan].

Background: Adrenaline administration is a top priority treatment for severe anaphylaxis. A survey with regard to the timing of adrenaline administration for anaphylaxis was conducted among physicians in Japan.

Methods: The survey was conducted using a questionnaire among physicians who had contributed to a nationwide survey for acute food allergy monitoring in 2011.

Small proximal aortic diameter is associated with higher central pulse pressure and poor outcome in patients with congestive heart failure.

Background: A small proximal aortic diameter (AoD) is thought to be associated with a higher characteristic impedance of the proximal aorta. However, there has been no evidence of a relationship between directly evaluated AoD and directly measured central aortic pressure or the outcome of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Methods And Results: (a) In 135 patients without heart failure (HF), who underwent coronary catheterization, we retrospectively examined the relationship between the AoD and the central aortic pressure or aortic elastance.

Novel neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions in a patient carrying SCA8 expansion mutation.

It has been reported that abnormal processing of pre-mRNA is caused by abnormal triplet expansion. Non-coding triplet expansions produce toxic RNA to alter RNA splicing activities. However, there has been no report on the globular RNA aggregation in neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs) up to now.

[Evaluation of Petri dish sampling for assessment of airborne dust mite allergen in Japan].

Background: Several allergen sampling methods are available for the assessment of personal or indirect exposure to indoor allergens. As an index of exposure to inhalant allergens, assays of the amount of airborne allergens directly reflect personal exposure.

Objective: We evaluated the Petri dish sampling method of assessing the level of airborne Dermatophagoides dust mite group 1 (Der 1) allergens.

T cell receptor repertoire in BALB/c mice varies according to tissue type, sex, age, and hydrocortisone treatment.

Diversity in T cell recognition of antigens is determined by diverse usage of T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. TCR repertoire analysis provides fundamental information for understanding T cell immune responses in the pathogenesis of various diseases. In the present study, we examined the TCR repertoire in various tissues in normal BALB/c mice.

Selective suppression of Th2-mediated airway eosinophil infiltration by low-molecular weight CCR3 antagonists.

The effects of selective CC chemokine receptor (CCR)-3 antagonists on antigen-induced leukocyte accumulation in the lungs of mice adoptively transferred with in vitro-differentiated T(h)1 and T(h)2 were investigated. Inhalation of antigen by mice injected with T(h)1 and T(h)2 initiated the migration of T cells themselves into the lungs. Subsequently, neutrophils massively accumulated in T(h)1-transferred mice, whereas eosinophil infiltration was specifically induced by T(h)2.

Effect of formoterol on allergen-induced cytokine synthesis by atopic asthmatics.

Background: Effect of formoterol, long-acting beta(2 )agonists, on T cell cytokine synthesis was examined.

Methods: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from atopic asthmatics, and stimulated with Dermatophagoidesfarinae extract. Various concentrations of formoterol were added from the start of some cultures.

Bacterial superantigens and T cell receptor beta-chain-bearing T cells in the immunopathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing-remitting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the colon and the rectum producing debilitating symptoms, which impair ability to function and quality of life. The aetiology of IBD is incompletely understood, but within the lymphocyte population, specific T cell subsets are known to be major factors in the development of intestinal immune pathology while different subsets are essential regulators, controlling IBD. Hence, IBD is thought to reflect dysregulated T cell behaviour.

Novel mutations in the guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 gene associated with DYT5 dystonia.

Objectives: To better understand the relationship between mutation of the guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) gene and the etiology of DYT5 dystonia and to accumulate data on the mutation in the Japanese population for genetic diagnosis of the disease.

Setting: Japanese population. Patients Eight Japanese patients with suspected DYT5 dystonia were analyzed.

Involvement of eicosanoids and surfactant protein D in extrinsic allergic alveolitis.

The pathophysiology of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) involves oxidative lung damage as well as interstitial and alveolar inflammation. Macrophages and mast cells are inflammatory components of EAA that produce both leukotrienes (LTs) and prostaglandin D2 (PGD2). In addition, PGD2 is also produced by the free-radical-catalysed peroxidation of arachidonic acid during oxidative stress.

Comparative histologic assessment of proctocolectomy specimens from Japanese and American patients with ulcerative colitis with or without dysplasia.

There have been no reports of histologic differences in ulcerative colitis (UC) between Japanese and American patients. We therefore compared histology in proctocolectomy resection specimens between Japanese patients with UC (19 cases with and 21 without dysplasia) at the Kitasato University East Hospital and American patients with UC (21 cases with and 24 without dysplasia) at the University of Washington Medical Center. In cases of UC with, but not without dysplasia, cryptitis (p = 0.

Comparison of IL-17 production by helper T cells among atopic and nonatopic asthmatics and control subjects.

Background: T cells, eosinophils, and neutrophils are strongly involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Mechanisms that influence neutrophil accumulation and activation in asthma still remain relatively obscure. There is data indicating that IL-17 is produced by T cells and causes the release of neutrophil-mobilizing cytokines from airway epithelial cells, and that in this way it may regulate airway neutrophilia.

Urinary eicosanoid and tyrosine derivative concentrations in patients with vasculitides.

Background: Vasculitides are classified on the basis of the type of cell involved, namely, eosinophilic vasculitides such as Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) and noneosinophilic vasculitides. However, knowledge on inflammatory mediators and oxidative tissue damage associated with vasculitides is insufficient.

Objective: We measured the urinary concentrations of inflammatory mediators and tyrosine derivatives to assess biomarkers associated with the pathophysiology of vasculitides.

[Sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease].

Approximately 74-94% patients with Parkinson's disease have sleep disorders: such as frequent awakening, excessive daytime sleepiness, nightmares, nocturnal cramps, REM sleep behavior disorders and so on. In contrast, the relationship between physiological mechanism of sleep and the dopamine systems are still obscure, because the dopamine systems are not directly related neither initiating or maintaining sleep system nor awaking system. However, most of all the dopaminergic drugs were reported to induce sleepiness or sleep attacks in the patients with Parkinson's disease.